Barsotti is involved in the community through raising funds for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, a personal victory as well because he was diagnosed with leukemia in 2004. In 2005, he was the Honored Patient at the Lexington-based Light the Night Walk which raises money to find a cure for leukemia. His team raised $12,000. Barsotti also serves as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister at his church, teaches a Sunday school class, and is involved in youth ministry. He wants to attend a liberal arts college on a pre-medicine track. In his own words, Barsotti "strives to weave these fibers of character (dependability, leadership, service, patriotism) into the fabric of my everyday life."
Rebekah Biggs, the second recipient of the DAR award, is "a role model to all who face physical adversities" because "she looks outward, helping others, rather than inward, pitying herself" according to her school counselor Evie Smith. Biggs, daughter of Russell and Susan Biggs and student at Kentucky School for the Deaf, is a member of her student body government, Family Career and Community Leaders of America, and Deaf Teenager Quest. With DTQ, she spent a week in Mississippi helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina by cleaning, painting and hanging dry wall. She was the recipient of the Danville-Boyle County Chamber of Commerce Youth Appreciation Award as well as the Justin Delp "Heart" Award. Biggs plans to be a chef in either Bowling Green or in Danville after attending Carl D. Perkins Rehabilitation Center for one year and finishing at either Eastern or Western Kentucky University.
Darren Ross, son of Christopher and Beverly Ross and senior at Danville High School, is the third and final recipient of the DAR Good Citizen Award. Ross has played football for four years at Danville. He wants to attend University of Kentucky or University of Louisville to be a biology major and eventually go on to medical school. Ross wants to be a doctor in order to help people in need. He also enjoys playing music and is considering doing studio production in college. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing and composing music. His goals are, in his words, "to be a good Christian as well as being able to give back to the world on behalf of what I've received."
The winners were honored at a recent St. Asaph chapter meeting.
Kevin Duke is an intern at The Advocate-Messenger and a senior English and history major at Centre College.
